Earth's spheres & nutrient cycles

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is part of the lithosphere?

• Rivers

• Volcanoes

• Clouds

• Birds

The atmosphere is best described as:

• The solid rocks of Earth

• The layer of gases surrounding Earth

• All living organisms on Earth

• The frozen parts of Earth

The hydrosphere includes only liquid water.

• True

• False

Name two examples of interactions between the biosphere and the atmosphere.

• Examples: Plants taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; Animals breathing oxygen from the atmosphere.

• Examples: Rocks eroding due to wind; Water freezing in lakes.

• Examples: Sunlight warming the soil; Rainwater collecting in rivers.

• Examples: Volcanoes erupting; Earthquakes shaking the ground.

Multiple Choice: Which sphere would be most directly affected by a drought?

• Lithosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

Explain how the biosphere and lithosphere interact during an earthquake.

• Example: Earthquakes can cause changes in habitats, affecting plants and animals (biosphere) living on the land (lithosphere).

• Earthquakes only affect the atmosphere and have no impact on living organisms.

• Earthquakes cause the biosphere to move into the hydrosphere permanently.

• Earthquakes only change the color of rocks without affecting living things.

Multiple Choice: Which two spheres are most involved in the process of photosynthesis?

• Atmosphere & Biosphere

• Hydrosphere & Lithosphere

• Lithosphere & Atmosphere

• Atmosphere & Hydrosphere

Which gas do plants take in during photosynthesis?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Carbon dioxide

• Methane

Nitrogen fixation is the process of:

• Turning nitrogen gas into usable compounds

• Breaking down dead organisms

• Releasing oxygen into the air

• Moving water into the soil

Name one way carbon is released into the atmosphere.

• Burning fossil fuels (combustion)

• Photosynthesis in plants

• Absorption by oceans

• Formation of rocks